McLean County Times

Illinois State tennis player Tijana Zlatanovic has been named one of the four recipients of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) postgraduate scholarships. The MVC Faculty Athletics Representatives Committee selected Zlatanovic, along with Lily DeSpain from Missouri State (women's swimming & diving), Avery Nowak from Belmont (women's soccer), and John Stillman from Bradley, based on their academic and athletic achievements.

Each recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their postgraduate studies. Zlatanovic is set to graduate in August with a 3.82 GPA in exercise science-health and human performance. She plans to pursue a master's degree in psychology of sport and physical activity at Illinois State University.

Zlatanovic served as team captain for the 2023-24 season and was part of both ISU's and the MVC's Student-Athlete Advisory Council during 2022-23. Originally from Salzburg, Austria, she earned multiple accolades throughout her college career, including being named the league's Freshman and Singles Player of the Year for 2020-21. She also received MVC All-Select honors in subsequent years and was recognized as an ITA Scholar Athlete twice.

Eligibility for this scholarship requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40, participation in an MVC championship sport for at least two seasons at the nominating institution, graduation within 18 months following selection, acceptance into postgraduate studies, and completion of intercollegiate athletics eligibility during the nomination year.